The New Hampshire Wildcats square off against the Fairfield Stags in the first round of the CIT tournament at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Action starts at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 16.
The Stags are expecting a different result after their 76-63 loss to Monmouth in the 3 of the Metro Atlantic Athletic tournament. Matija Milin finished with 16 points to lead the team. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are coming off a 63-56 loss at the hands of Vermont in the 2 of the America East tournament. Jaleen Smith accumulated 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
The Stags come into this game 19-13 Straight Up (SU) and 14-13 Against The Spread (ATS). The Stags are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throw percentage, shooting a superb .735 from the free throw line.
Over on the other bench, the Wildcats have a record of 1-1 ATS and 19-12 SU. The Wildcats are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 39.1 rebounds per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Fair, ATS Winner – Fair
Notes
The Fairfield Stags average 72.9 possessions and 1.055 points per possession in games this season. The New Hampshire Wildcats average fewer possessions with 68.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.041.
The Fairfield Stags average an effective field goal percentage of 51.9% this season. The New Hampshire Wildcats have a losing record of 4-7 when opponents have an eFG% of 51.9% or greater.
On average, the Fairfield Stags attempt 24.0 three point field goals per game and the New Hampshire Wildcats attempt 19.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Fairfield has a 14-13 record and New Hampshire has a 10-8 record.
Fairfield ranks 100th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.18. New Hampshire is ranked lower at 191st with an A/TO of 1.02.
New Hampshire, the 50th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 39.1 rebounds per game. Fairfield does worse, ranked 247th with 34.8.
The Fairfield Stags make an average of 6.5 steals per game. When the New Hampshire Wildcats allow 6 or more steals, they are a solid 11-4.
